- Phil Hersh`s comment: Boitano (1986), Orser (1987) and Fadeev (1985) each has won a world title, but Orser is notoriously poor under the type of pressure he will face on his home ice.

Witt, the 1984 Olympic champion and four-time world champion, is unbeatable if she finishes fourth or better in compulsories, her only weakness. Thomas, the only woman to beat Witt since 1984, skates best when the stakes are highest. Gordeeva, a tiny 4 feet 9 inches and 78 pounds at age 16, and Grinkov, a gigantic 5-11, 150 by comparison, are a dynamic match sure to give the Soviet Union its sixth straight pairs title. Bestemianova and Bukin, three-time world champions, are just as certain winners in dance.